The National Rifle Association hosted 45 outstanding high school students July 12-18 at its annual Youth Education Summit, which encourages young adults to become active and knowledgeable citizens by learning about the Constitution and the federal government.

During the week's activities, students visited DC's memorials and monuments and toured the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, the National Archives, the NRA National Firearms Museum, and the Marine Corps Museum.

"We've learned a lot about the Second Amendment and the programs of the NRA," said 2010 Y.E.S. participant Julia Parker from New Hampshire. "It's been a wonderful experience getting to know other students who share my passion for freedom."

In addition to the week in Washington, YES participants compete for $30,000 in college scholarships. The first round of awards totals $10,000 and is given at the conclusion of the Y.E.S. program. A second round of scholarships, called Grand Scholarships, is comprised of $20,000 and involves a second application, available to the participants after they go through the Y.E.S. program.

Since the program's inception in 1996, more than $200,000 in scholarships has been awarded.

The NRA Foundation provides all funding for the Youth Education Summit through monies raised by Friends of NRA events. Friends of NRA is a grassroots, fund-raising program organized by local volunteers. Since the program's inception in 1992, Friends of NRA has funded thousands of local projects that include youth education efforts, firearm training, and conservation projects.